If your small kitchen is making you feel claustrophobic, take these DIY tips from master Bob Vila to help you increase your storage options, maximize your space and get you breathing a little easier.
No matter how small the kitchen, chances are it has empty wall just waiting to be transformed into the ultimate organizer. Try putting up a simple pegboard, which can serve as a catchall for kitchen supplies and requires no DIY experience to install. You can also paint it to match or liven up the décor!
You can free up a ton of kitchen cabinet space by mounting a pull-out spice rack to the bottom of your cupboards. Not only will it make meal prep easier, but it will also wow your guests every time you invite company over for dinner.
A lot of things can be easily stored using magnetic strips mounted to the wall. Rack up large items like metal knives, or transfer smaller items like spices into small magnetic containers, then pair them with a wall-mounted magnetized metal strip to make everything stick.
Try installing self-adhesive plastic hooks, but sideways, to the inside of a cabinet door for storing foil, plastic wrap, paper towels and other disposables inside a pantry or cabinet wall. Not only will you keep these everyday items within easy reach, you’ll also free up space for other kitchen necessities.
If you have wire freezer racks, employ binder clips to hang bags of frozen fruits, veggies, and meat. By hanging them vertically, rather than stacking them, you can double your storage space and make it easier to spot what you have and, as a result, prevent overbuying groceries.
If you’re embarrassed to show off the cluttered piles of cleaning supplies that have accumulated below, it may be time to try a little compartmentalization. Use plastic caddies, a couple of small buckets or some baskets with handles to separate items into groups. You’ll be able to easily pull it out and access what you need without rooting around for too long.
Tall cabinets look great on the outside, but if they’re not outfitted with adequate shelving inside, they’re a big waste of space. A wire shelf separator can be added to any cabinet to allow you to stack dishes below and above, effectively doubling your cabinet storage.
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